How to make a hydroelectric station. Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

It is at this place that We will try to make our new hydroelectric power station. Previously, on this pond, attempts had already been made to create a homemade hydroelectric power station from a squirrel wheel with a belt drive to a generator (by the way, it is shown in the photo at the end of the article), which gave a current of about 1 Ampere, this was enough to power several light bulbs and a radio in our small hunting lodge. This power plant operated successfully for more than 2 years, and we decided to create a more powerful version of a similar hydroelectric power plant in place of this mini-dam.

To manufacture a mini dam hydroelectric power station on the m you will need:

Sheet metal scraps and corners;
- Wheel disks (used from the housing of a failed Onan generator);
- Generator (it was made from two disks with a diameter of 11 inches from Dodge disc brakes);
- The drive shaft and bearings also seem to be from Dodge, we don’t remember exactly, so we removed them with our own hands from some other homemade product;
- copper wire with a cross-section of approximately 15 mm;
- some plywood;
- magnets;
- polystyrene resin for filling the rotor and stator.

Manufacturing process

We make the drive wheel blades from 4-inch cut into 4 parts steel pipe.

We made a template that helped us lay out the hole. The side surfaces of the wheel are 12-inch diameter discs.

We make a template with which we mark the holes for the hubs (5 pieces), as well as the position of the angle of the blades. In such a wheel, if you look from the side, the water hits the top, around 10 o'clock, passes through the middle of the wheel and comes out at the bottom, at 5 o'clock, so the water hits the wheel twice. We reviewed a large number of photographs and tried to simulate the width and angle of the blades. In the photo above there are markings for the edges of the blades and holes for attaching the wheel to the generator. The wheel has 16 blades.

The template was glued to one of the disks - the future side surface of the wheel; we clamped both disks together. The photo above shows drilling small holes for positioning the blades.

We create a 10-inch gap between the discs using solid threaded studs and align them as carefully as possible before installing the blades.

The wheel welding process is shown in the photo above. It is very important that the blades are made of galvanized steel pipe. Before welding, it is necessary to strip the zinc from the edges of the blades, since when welding, galvanized metal emits toxic gas, which we try to avoid.

The finished wheel of our future hydroelectric station, without a generator. On the other side of the wheel (opposite the generator), there is a 4-inch diameter hole in the side disk - for ease of screwing to the generator, and also for cleaning, so that you can reach in and remove sticks and other debris that water may carry inside.

The nozzle is the same width (10 inches) as the wheel and about 1 inch tall at the end where the water comes out. The nozzle area is slightly smaller than the 4-inch pipe on which the nozzle is mounted. In the photo above we bend a metal sheet with our own hands for a nozzle.

We put the wheel on the axle, our hydroelectric power station is almost ready, all that remains is to make and install the generator. The entire structure is movable. We can move the nozzle forward, backward, up, down. The wheel and generator can move forward and backward.

Manufacturing a generator for our hydroelectric power station.>

We make the stator winding and prepare it for casting. The winding consists of 9 coils, each coil consists of 125 turns of copper wire with a cross-section of 1.5 mm. Each phase consists of 3 coils connected in series, we brought out 6 ends, so we can make either a star or a delta connection.

And this is the stator after filling. (We use polyester resin to fill it) Its diameter is 14 inches (35.5 cm), thickness is 0.5 inches 1.3 cm.

We make a template from plywood - for marking for magnets.

The photo shows a template and one of the brake discs (future rotor).

We arrange 12 magnets measuring 2.5 x 5 cm and 1.3 cm thick according to the prepared template.

We fill the rotor with polyester resin, and when the resin dries, the rotor is ready for use.

This is what our almost completed hydroelectric power station looks like complete with a generator.

Photo from the other side. Under the aluminum cover there are two bridge rectifiers from a 3-phase AC to permanent. Ammeter scale – up to 6A. In this condition, when the air gap between the magnetic rotors is reduced to the limit, the machine produces 12.5 volts at 38 rpm.

In the rear magnetic rotor, there are 3 tuning screws to adjust the air gap, so that the generator can spin faster as needed, hoping to find the optimum.

In their spare time, 17 people took part in the creation of the hydroelectric power station.

Let's start making fasteners; to do this, we first clean all the rust from the sheet metal and corners, prime and paint, this is of course not necessary, but it’s more beautiful this way, and it will look marketable.

Our generator with a water wheel is ready, all that remains is to install it!

It would be nice to build a splash screen for the generator that would rotate with the wheel, but we haven't found one yet. suitable material. Therefore, we decided to do this later, if the hydroelectric power station starts working.

Another photo of the generator with a water wheel. The nozzle has not yet been installed, it is in the back of the body and we will install it soon.

The photo shows the place where we want to put it. A 4-inch pipe comes out from the bottom of the dam, about a 3-foot drop. We only take a small part of the water flow.

This is our old micro-hydroelectric power station, which worked for 2 years, including winters. It was enough for 1 Ampere (12 Watts) or so. This is a squirrel wheel, with a belt drive to the engine from a computer streamer from Ametek. Belt tension is critical for successful work, it needs to be adjusted frequently. We hope we've built something better than this.

Here is our hydroelectric power station in place, we are setting it up. Finally, we arrive at the theoretically predicted parameters: the best result is obtained when the water enters for 10 hours rim, and leaves around 5 o'clock.

It's working! The output is about 2 Amps (1.9 to be exact). It is not possible to increase the current. The adjustments are not easy to make - each movement of the wheel requires a corresponding movement of the nozzle, and vice versa. We can also change the air gap and change the connection from star to delta. The result is clearly better for the star - the power is higher than for the triangle at the same speed. We ended up going with a chainring with 1.25 inches of clearance (quite a lot).

The machine can be made a little cheaper by using less powerful magnets and a smaller air gap... or it can produce more current with the same magnets, less gap and coils with more turns. We'll do this someday. In the meantime, the wheel produces 160 rpm at idling, 110 rpm under load, producing 1.9 A x 12 V.
We had a lot of fun, it was a lot of fun, and the mini-hydroelectric power station works well. We still need a screen for the generator - the river is full of magnetite sand! Every few hours you have to clean the magnetic rotors from sand build-up. You need to either install a screen or attach a couple powerful magnets at the entrance to the pipe.

Based on materials from the site: Otherpower.com

Among all alternative sources energy, hydroelectric power plants are the most popular. This fact can be explained quite simply - with the same investment, the return is much greater. The only drawback is that it requires a river or stream for stable operation.

Classification of mini hydroelectric power stations

Depending on the principle of operation, there are four main types of hydroelectric power plants:

• Hydroelectric power station garland, additional hydraulic structures are used to enhance the flow of water;
• classic water wheel, the simplest option for a homemade hydroelectric power station;
• propeller, suitable if the river bed is more than 10 m wide;
• The Daoye rotor is used for the manufacture of industrial micro hydroelectric power stations.

What all these types of hydroelectric power stations have in common is that they do not require the construction of a dam to operate. This design is a high-precision and expensive engineering object, the construction of which costs many times more than the hydroelectric power station itself.

The second criterion by which small hydroelectric power plants should be divided is the possibility of application for domestic and industrial purposes. It's about that the same type of hydroelectric power station can have several options for supplying and discharging water. This makes it possible to create power plants that can operate in closed system pipelines. They are relevant for factories and enterprises, production process, which is associated with high water costs. In addition, the power of the installation must correspond to the demand for electricity.

Household installations are much simpler and cheaper. But their installation is only possible if there is a constant source of water. In this case, we are not talking about municipal water supply.

Advantages of mini hydroelectric power stations

• operates almost silently and does not pollute the atmosphere;
• does not affect the quality of water in any way; if desired, filters are installed on the drainage system, which makes the water suitable for drinking;
• the operation of the station does not depend on weather conditions, electricity is generated 24 hours a day;
• even a small stream is sufficient for the operation of a hydroelectric power station;
• there is an opportunity to sell excess electricity to neighbors;
• there is no need to collect certificates and permits.

Comparison of homemade and factory mini hydroelectric power stations

For household use you need no more than 20 kW per day. This is not much, so the feasibility of purchasing a hydroelectric power station manufactured industrially is called into question. It seems that there are no difficulties in making a wheel or propeller type hydraulic station. But in practice a number of problems arise.

Firstly, it is difficult to produce necessary calculations, secondly, the thickness and size of the parts are selected exclusively experimentally, thirdly, home-made hydroelectric power stations are manufactured without protective elements, which leads to constant breakdowns and, as a result, additional waste.

If there is no experience in hydropower, from the idea homemade installation It's better to refuse. It is much easier and more reliable to discuss the issue with your neighbors and jointly purchase a factory-made hydroelectric power station with a guarantee of quality. In addition, the companies that sell these installations carry out their installation.

Review of mini hydroelectric power station manufacturers

In fact, not many companies are engaged in the production of mini hydroelectric power stations. Intermediary companies try not to disclose this information, as they will lose the lion's share of income. Among those factories that are really worth trusting, CINK Hydro-Energy needs to be highlighted. It is a recognized world leader in the development of hydraulic equipment.

However, before contacting the company manager, it is necessary to calculate the costs of information processing, logistics and installation. In most cases, the amount will not be much less than that of intermediaries.

Which company to order a mini hydroelectric power station from?

Considering that the equipment is quite expensive and manufacturing requires precise mathematical calculations, it makes sense to turn to companies that have positively proven themselves in the market. Alternative energy- this is a new direction for our country, so the list is quite small.

1. AEnergy is the largest supplier of high-quality hydroelectric power plants; the company provides a full range of services from collecting and processing information to installing a hydroelectric power station.

2. INSET is a company from St. Petersburg. She independently manufactures hydroelectric power plants, so she is personally responsible for the quality. The advantages of cooperation are that it is possible to order a micro hydroelectric power station for 5-10 kW.

3. Hydroponics is another domestic company that independently manufactures hydroelectric power plants. Warranty for all products is 10 years. The most interesting model is Shar-Bulak with a power of 5 kW.

4. NPO Inversion - a design bureau specializing in the development of alternative and standard energy sources. Distinctive Features- the presence of non-standard hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 7.5 and 12.5 kW.

5. Micro hydro power is a Chinese company that sells several relatively inexpensive household units.

Option #1

Homemade Cable Garland mini-hydroelectric power station - great solution to obtain affordable and inexpensive electricity if there is a small river near your place of residence.

The design of a garland cable mini-hydroelectric power station is based on the rotation of the cable in the river bed.

The first designs of an autonomous simple hydroelectric power station were implemented long ago by individual craftsmen half a century ago. Back in the 50s, Radio magazine published information about a garland hydroelectric power station, made in tin cans and with a generator from a car!

Fig.1. Appearance DIY rope garland of a mini-hydroelectric power station.

How to make a cable garland hydroelectric power station with your own hands?

The figure below shows a diagram of the design of a simple cable garland mini-hydroelectric power station with a turbine-cable hydraulic drive, which rotates from the flow of the river.

Fig. 2 Scheme and principle of operation of the Garlyandnaya mini-hydroelectric power station

1. Bearing, 2. Support, 3. Metal cable, 4. Hydraulic wheel (turbine),

5. Electric generator, 6. Upper river level, 7. River bed.

As hydraulic wheels (rotors), in a cable hydraulic drive of a mini-hydroelectric power station, you can use several “impellers” made of a thin metal sheet, about half a meter in diameter, similar to a children’s toy - a propeller made of a square sheet of paper. It is advisable to use a regular steel cable with a diameter of 10...15 mm as a flexible shaft.
Approximate calculations show that from such a cable hydroelectric power station, you can get up to 1.5...2.0 kW from one hydrowheel, with a river flow of about 2.5 meters/sec!

If supports 2 with bearings 1 and electric generator 5 are installed on the bottom of the river, and the bearings with the generator are raised above the river level, and this entire structure is placed along the flow axis, then the result will be practically the same. This scheme is appropriately used for very “narrow rivers” but with a depth of more than 0.5 meters. Thermal energy in such a hydroelectric power station can be obtained by connecting electric heaters to an electric generator.

The rotors of a hydroelectric power plant garland are, as a rule, located in the core of the flow (at 0.2 depths from the surface in summer and 0.5 depths from the ice surface in winter). The depth of the river at the site where the hydroelectric garland is installed does not exceed 1.5 m. If the river depth is more than 1.5 m, it is quite possible to use rotors arranged in two rows.

The emergence of dachas and even farms on waste lands remote from the power grid, the galloping rise in prices for fuel and electricity have brought to life the old ideas of autonomous power supply with the widespread use of natural energy from the sun, wind and water. In particular, interest in mini- and micro-hydroelectric power stations has increased.

Two of these hydroelectric power stations are acceptable for building on your own: a micro-hydroelectric power station with your own hands and a floating, dam-free mini-hydroelectric power station. Next in line are designs, the prototype of which was the free-flow (model 1964) garland hydroelectric power station of V. Blinov.

Dudyshev V.D.

Option No. 2

The hydroelectric power plants that will be discussed are free-flow, with a rather original turbine made of so-called Savonius rotors, strung on a common (maybe flexible, composite) working shaft. They do not require dams or other large-scale hydraulic structures for their installation. They are able to work with full efficiency even in shallow water, which, combined with the simplicity, compactness and reliability of the design, makes these hydroelectric power stations very promising for those farmers and gardeners whose plots of land are located near small watercourses (rivers, streams and ditches).

Unlike dams, free-flow hydropower plants are known to use only the kinetic energy of flowing water. To determine power there is a formula:

N=0.5*p*V3*F*n (1),

N - power on the working shaft (W),
- p - density of water (1000 kt/m3),
- V - river flow speed (m/s),
- F - cross-sectional area of ​​the active (submersible) part of the working body of the hydraulic machine (m2),
- n - energy conversion efficiency.

As can be seen from formula 1, at a river speed of 1 m/s per one square meter The cross section of the active part of the hydraulic machine ideally (when n=1) has a power equal to only 500 W. This value is clearly small for industrial use, but is quite sufficient for a farmer’s or summer resident’s subsidiary plot. Moreover, it can be increased through the parallel operation of several “hydroenergy garlands”.

And one more subtlety. The speed of the river in its different sections is different. Therefore, before starting the construction of a mini-hydroelectric power station, it is necessary to determine the energy potential of your river using a simple method. Let us only recall that the distance traveled by the measuring float and divided by the time it passes will correspond to the average flow speed in this area. It should also be noted: this parameter will change depending on the time of year.

Therefore, design calculations should be made based on the average (for the planned period of operation of the mini-hydroelectric power station) river flow speed.

Fig.1 Savonius rotors for homemade garland mini-hydroelectric power plants:

a, b - blades; 1 - transverse, 2 - end.

Next, you need to determine the size of the active part of the hydraulic machine and its type. Since the entire mini-hydroelectric power station should be as simple and uncomplicated to manufacture as possible, the most suitable type The converter is a Savonius rotor of end-end design. When working with complete immersion in water, the value F can be taken equal to the product rotor diameter D by its length L, and n=0.5. The rotation frequency f is determined with an accuracy acceptable for practice using the formula:

f=48V/3.14D (rpm) (2).

To make the hydroelectric power plant as compact as possible, the power specified in the calculation should be correlated with the actual load, the power supply of which should be provided by the mini-hydroelectric power station (since, unlike a wind turbine, the current will be continuously supplied to the consumer network). As a rule, this electricity is used for lighting, powering the TV, radio, and refrigerator. Moreover, only the latter is constantly put into operation throughout the day. The rest of the electrical appliances work mainly in the evening. Based on this, it is advisable to focus on the maximum power from one “hydroenergy garland” of about 250-300 W, covering the peak load with a battery charged from a mini-hydroelectric power station.

The transmission of torque from the working shaft of a hydraulic power plant to the pulley of an electric generator is usually carried out using an intermediate transmission. However, this element, strictly speaking, can be excluded if the generator used in the micro-hydroelectric power station design has an operating rotation speed of less than 750 rpm. However, you often have to refuse direct communication. Indeed, for the vast majority of generators domestic production the operating rotation speed at the start of power delivery is in the range of 1500-3000 rpm. This means that additional coordination is needed between the shafts of the hydropower plant and the electric generator.

Well, now that the preliminary theoretical part is behind us, let’s look at specific designs. Each of them has its own advantages.

Here, for example, is a semi-stationary free-flow mini-hydroelectric power station with a horizontal arrangement of two coaxial, rotated 90° relative to each other (to facilitate self-starting) and rigidly connected transverse-type Savonius rotors. Moreover, the main parts and components of this homemade hydropower plant are made of wood as the most affordable and “obedient” building material.

The proposed mini-hydroelectric power station is submersible. That is, its supporting frame is located across the watercourse at the bottom and is strengthened with guy ropes or poles (if, for example, there are walkways, a boat dock, etc. nearby). This is done in order to avoid the structure being carried away by the watercourse itself.

Fig.2 Submersible mini-hydroelectric power station with horizontal transverse rotors:

1 - base spar (beam 150x100, 2 pcs.), 2 - lower cross member (board 150x45, 2 pcs.), 3 - middle cross member (beam 150x120, 2 pcs.), 4 - riser (round timber with a diameter of 100, 4 pcs. .), 5 upper spar (board 150x45, 2 pcs.), 6 - upper cross member (board 100x40, 4 pcs.), 7 - intermediate shaft (stainless steel, rod with a diameter of 30), 8 - pulley block, 9 - generator DC, 10 - “gander” with a porcelain roller and two-core insulated wire, 11 - base plate (200x40 board), 12 - drive pulley, 13 - wooden bearing assembly (2 pcs), 14 - “hydroenergy garland” rotor (D600, L1000, 2 pcs.), 15 disk (from boards knocked into a shield thickness 20-40 mm, 3 pcs.); metal elements fastenings (including braces, hubs of outer disks) are not shown.

Of course, the depth of the river at the installation site of the mini-hydroelectric power station should be less than the height of the support frame. Otherwise, it is very difficult (if not impossible) to avoid water getting into the electric generator. Well, if the place where the mini-hydroelectric power station is supposed to be located has a depth of more than 1.5 m or there is a large amount of water and flow speed that varies greatly throughout the year (which, by the way, is quite typical for snow-fed watercourses), then this design It is recommended to equip with floats. This will also allow it to be easily moved when installed on a river.

The supporting frame of a mini-hydroelectric power station is a rectangular frame made of timber, boards and small logs, fastened with nails and wire (cables). Metal parts of the structure (nails, bolts, clamps, angles, etc.) should, if possible, be made of stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant alloys.

Well, since the operation of such a mini-hydroelectric power station is often possible in Russian conditions only seasonally (due to the freezing of most rivers), then after the expiration of the operation period, the entire structure pulled ashore is subject to thorough inspection. Rotten ones are replaced in a timely manner wooden elements, rusty, despite measures taken precautions, metal parts.

One of the main components of our mini-hydroelectric power station is a “hydroenergy garland” of two rigidly fixed (and forming a single unit on the working shaft) rotors. Their disks can be easily made from boards 20-30 mm thick. To do this, making a shield out of them, use a compass to build a circle with a diameter of 600 mm. After which, each of the boards is cut according to the curve obtained on it. Having knocked the workpieces together on two strips (to give the required rigidity), they repeat everything three times - according to the number of required disks.

As for the blades, it is advisable to make them from roofing iron. And better - from cylindrical stainless containers (barrels) of suitable size and cut in half (along the axis), in which agricultural fertilizers and other aggressive materials are usually stored and transported. In extreme cases, the blades can be made of wood. But their weight (especially after a long stay in water) will increase significantly. And this should be remembered when creating mini-hydroelectric power stations on floats.

Spiked supports are attached to the ends of the “hydroenergy garland”. Essentially, these are short cylinders with a wide flange and an end slot for a key. The flange is attached to the corresponding rotor disk with four bolts.

To reduce friction, there are bearings located on the middle crossbars. And since ordinary ball or roller bearings are unsuitable for working in water, they use... homemade wooden ones. The design of each of them consists of two clamps and insert boards with a hole for the passage of a tenon support. Moreover, the middle bearing shells are positioned so that the wood fibers here run parallel to the shaft. In addition, special measures are taken to ensure that the insert boards are firmly fixed against lateral movement. This is done using tightening bolts.

Fig.3 Sliding bearing assembly:

1 - crimp bracket (St3, strip 50x8, 4 pcs.), 2 - middle frame cross member, 3 - crimp insert (made of hard wood, 2 pcs.), 4 replaceable insert (made of hard wood, 2 pcs.) , 5 - M10 bolt with Grover nut and washer (4 sets), 6 - M8 stud with two nuts and washers (2 pcs.).

Any automobile generator is used as an electric generator in the micro-hydroelectric power station under consideration. They produce 12-14 V DC and can be easily connected to both battery and electrical appliances. The power of these machines is about 300 W.

Quite acceptable for self-made and the design of a portable mini-hydroelectric power station with a vertical arrangement of a “garland” and a generator. Such a hydroelectric station, according to the author of the development, is the least material-intensive. The supporting structure of the installation, which fixes its position in the river bed, is a hollow steel rod (for example, from pipe sections). Its length is chosen based on the nature of the bottom of the watercourse and the speed of the flow. Moreover, such that the sharp end of the rod, driven into the bottom, would guarantee the stability of the mini-hydroelectric power station and its non-disruption by the current. Possibly additional use stretch marks.

Having determined the active surface of the rotor using formula (1) and measuring the depth of the river at the installation site of the mini-hydroelectric power station, it is easy to calculate the diameter of the Savonius rotors used here. To make the design simple and self-starting, it is advisable to make a “hydroenergy garland” of two rotors connected so that the blades of the first are offset by 90° relative to the second (along the axis of rotation). Moreover, to increase operating efficiency, the structure on the side of the oncoming flow is equipped with a shield that plays the role of a guide vane. Well, the working shaft is mounted in the sliding bearings of the upper and lower supports. In principle, for a short period of operation of a mini-hydroelectric power station (for example, on a hiking trip), ball bearings can also be used large diameter. However, if there is sand or silt in the water, these units will have to be washed in clean water after each use.

Rice. 4 Mini-hydroelectric power plants with vertically arranged end-type rotors:

1 - support rod, 2 - lower bearing assembly, 3 - “hydroenergy garland” disk (3 pcs.), 4 - rotor (D600, 2 pcs.), 5 - upper bearing assembly, 6 - working shaft, 7 - transmission, 8 - electric generator, 9 - “gander” with a porcelain roller and two-core insulated wire, 10 - generator mounting clamp, 11 - movable guide panel; a, b - blades: the braces at the upper end of the support rod are not shown.

The supports are bolted and welded to the rod, depending on the weight of the “hydroenergy garland” and the need to disassemble it into parts. The upper end of the working shaft of the hydraulic machine is also the input shaft of the multiplier, which (as the simplest and most technologically advanced) can be used as a belt one.

The electric generator is again taken from a car. It is easy to attach it to the support rod with a clamp. And the wires themselves coming from the generator must have reliable waterproofing. In the illustrations, the exact geometric proportions of the intermediate transmission are not shown, as they depend on the parameters of the specific generator you have. Well, transmission belts can be made from an old car inner tube, cutting it into strips 20 mm wide and then twisting it into bundles.

For power supply to small villages, a garland mini-hydroelectric power station designed by V. Blinov is suitable, which is nothing more than a chain of barrel-shaped Savonius rotors with a diameter of 300-400 mm, attached to a flexible cable stretched across the river. One end of the cable is attached to the hinged support, and the other through a simple multiplier to the generator shaft. At a flow speed of 1.5-2.0 m/s, the chain of rotors makes up to 90 rpm. And the small size of the elements of the “hydroenergy garland” makes it possible to operate this micro-hydroelectric power station on rivers with a depth of less than one meter.

It must be said that before 1964, V. Blinov managed to create several portable and stationary mini-hydroelectric power plants of his own design, the largest of which was a hydroelectric power station built near the village of Porozhki (Tver region). A pair of garlands here drove two standard automobile and tractor generators with a total power of 3.5 kW.

MK 10 1997 I. Dokunin

Option No. 3

Homemade hydroelectric power station (HPP) on a small river without a dam.

It is known that electricity is generated by a generator whose shaft rotates the engine. The hydroelectric power plant engine is designed simply: racks with two crankshafts A and B are mounted on a frame made of logs (see Fig. 3).

Each shaft has three elbows, the angles between which are 120°. The crankshafts are connected by rods to which the blades are attached. In Figure 1 you see that at the moment all the blades of rod B are at the bottom, they are immersed in water and under its pressure they move back (to the right). The blades move the rod, and the rod, in turn, turns the crankshafts. As soon as the knees connected by this rod begin to rise up, the blades of the rod G are immersed in the water. Now they begin to work. Then the blades of rod D will begin to work. By this time, the blades of the first rod B will pass above the surface of the water and sink into the water again. This is how the engine of the Login power plant will work.

If you attach a pulley to the end of one of the crankshafts and connect it with a belt drive to the pulley of a DC generator, the generator will begin to generate electricity. And if you attach a connecting rod to the drive pulley and connect it to the pump, the engine will pump water to the school plot, to your garden.

The power of the engine depends not only on the speed of water flow, but also on the number and area of ​​the blades, that is, on the geometric dimensions of the engine itself. And it can be made of any size, proportionally increasing or decreasing the size of its parts.

Rice. 1 Basic dimensions of parts of a mini hydroelectric power station without a dam.

We provide drawings of an engine that, at a water flow speed of 0.8-1 meter per second, will rotate a generator from a passenger car. The voltage generated by the generator is 12 V, and the power is up to 150 W.

Fig.2 The main components of a homemade hydroelectric power station without a dam.

Before you start building a hydroelectric power station, pick up a generator in a workshop or store that sells car parts. Prepare materials: boards, small diameter logs, steel wire, fasteners. Select the location where the power plant will be located. It is advisable that this be a straight section of the river. Here you need to determine the flow speed. It's done like this. On a selected area 15-20 meters long, mark two transverse sections. After this, using a small float, such as a piece of wood, determine the speed of the water flow. The float should be thrown into the water slightly above the upper target and, watching it, use a stopwatch to count the time the float passes from the upper target to the lower one. You need to make 10-15 such measurements, throwing the float further, sometimes closer to the shore, and based on the measurement results, calculate the average speed of the river flow. If it lies within 0.8-1 m/s, feel free to start construction.

Fig.3. Crankshafts of mini hydroelectric power stations without a dam.

How to make the most complex parts of a mini hydroelectric power station without a dam. Mini Gas crankshaft without dam.

It can be made from a solid steel rod with a diameter of 16-20 mm. But it is easier to make it prefabricated (Fig. 3). First, cut parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 from the rod. Make the cheeks of the knees from a steel strip 5 mm thick. Saw squares at the ends of the rods, and at the cheeks - square holes. After connecting the parts, the squares are riveted. First, assemble parts of the crankshaft “a” and “b” (see Fig. 3). Then you need to mark and cut out squares on the free ends of rods 2 and 3 so that the middle bend (after assembly) is located at an angle of 120° relative to the outer ones.

Rods with blades of a mini-hydroelectric power station without a dam.

Transmission device for mini-hydroelectric power station without a dam.

The crankshaft, and therefore the drive pulley, will rotate at a speed of approximately one revolution every two seconds. The generator can produce electric current at 1000-1500 rpm. To obtain such a number of revolutions on the generator, you need a transmission from pulleys different diameters(see picture).

Grooved pulleys are made of 5 mm thick plywood. For each pulley, cut out five circles. They are knocked down with nails or tightened with screws. The drive pulley, which is firmly attached to the end of the crankshaft, must have a diameter of at least 700 mm. Two intermediate ones are nailed to each other and loosely put on the axle. They should rotate easily on this axis. If the rotation speed of the drive pulley is 30 revolutions per minute, then the diameter of the small intermediate pulley can be taken equal to 140 mm, and the large one - 600 mm. Then the generator pulley (60 mm in diameter) will rotate at a speed of 1500 rpm. At other speeds of the drive pulley, the diameters of the intermediate pulleys will be different. A labor teacher will help you calculate their sizes.

Drive belts for mini-hydroelectric power plants without a dam.

The transmission pulleys are connected by drive belts. To ensure that the belts are always well tensioned, make them from a rubber band. Cut an old car inner tube into long strips. Twist each ribbon into a rope, glue the ends with rubber glue and tie tightly with twine.

Adjustment of mini-hydroelectric power station without a dam.

After assembling the mechanism, check whether the rods rotate freely. While turning the drive pulley by hand, notice which rod is preventing the crankshafts from rotating. After this, remove the barbell and enlarge one of the holes for the neck of the knee so that it becomes slightly oblong.

V. Kivonosov, V. Slashilina

Option No. 4

Small, inexpensive, damless hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) can be built on most rivers. The power of such power plants is small, but sufficient to electrify a home or even a small village.

On rivers with a flow speed of 0.8 meters per second or more, a new type of damless hydraulic motor can be installed. The operating principle of this engine is clear from the attached drawings and diagrams.

Under the pressure of water, the blades move the rods, the movement of which causes the crank to rotate. A pulley sits on its shaft.

The rotation of the pulley is transmitted to the generator. Engine power depends on the speed of water flow.

In places where the flow speed is low, it is necessary to narrow the river bed. The design of a hydraulic motor, for example 3.5 kilowatts, is so simple that it can be made in any school club or workshop.

M. Login

First, let's define the operating principle and types of small hydroelectric power plants. The flow of a river or falling water flow rotates the turbine blades and a hydraulic pipeline, which is connected to an electric generator - the latter generates electricity. Modern compact hydroelectric power plants have automatic control with the ability to instantly switch to manual mode in case emergency situation. The designs of modern factory hydroelectric power plants allow production to be minimized construction work when installing equipment.

Types of mini hydroelectric power plants

Mini power plants include generating devices with a capacity from 1 to 3000 kW. Fundamentally, the thermal power plant consists of:

1. turbines (water intake device);
2. generating block;
3. control systems.

According to the type of water resources used for generation, mini hydroelectric power stations are:

• Channel rivers. Such stations are built on small lowland rivers with reservoirs.
• Mountain. Stationary stations that use the energy of fast mountain currents.
• Industrial. Stations that use differences in water flow at industrial enterprises.
• Mobile. Stations using reinforced hoses for water flow.

Dam types of stations are characterized by high power, but the construction of a dam is expensive, and in this case it is impossible to do without permits. To get involved with officials in our country is not just to complicate your life, but to call into question the implementation of the most good intentions, so let’s abandon this idea right away.

How does a mini hydroelectric power station work?

The principle diagram of the operation of a hydroelectric power station can be chosen from several options:

• Garland hydroelectric power station. From one bank of the river to the other, a cable with rotors strung on it is laid under water. The current rotates the rotors and, accordingly, the cable itself. One end of the cable is in a bearing, the other is connected to the generator.
• Propeller. An underwater structure resembling a wind turbine with narrow blades and a vertical rotor. A blade with a width of only 20 mm at a high rotation speed will provide minimal resistance. A blade of this width is selected at a flow speed of 0.8–2.0 m per second.
• Water wheel. A wheel with blades, partially submerged in the flow, and located at right angles to the surface of the water. The flow of water presses on the blades, rotating the wheel.
• Rotor Daria. Vertical rotor with complex blade surfaces. The liquid flowing around the blades creates different pressures, causing rotation.

The photo shows a mini hydroelectric power station based on a water wheel

How to estimate the potential capacity of mini hydroelectric power stations

Before building a mini hydroelectric power station with your own hands, you need to determine the power you can count on. There is a reference relationship between the speed of water flow and the power that can be removed from the shaft in kW with a screw diameter of 1 m.

The speed of the flow is determined by measuring the time it takes for a chip thrown into water to travel a certain distance. Having made simple calculations, we obtain the flow speed in meters per second. If in in this case speed is less than 1 m/sec, then the construction of a hydroelectric power station will not be economically feasible.

At a flow speed of 2.5 m/s, the power will be 0.86 kW, at 3 m/s - 1.24 kW, at 4 m/s - 2.2 kW. The relationship is described by the dependence: the power of a hydroelectric power station is proportional to the cube of the water flow velocity. If the flow velocity at the proposed construction site is low, you can try to increase it by installing a difference in flow heights or by installing a drain pipe with a variable diameter at the outlet of the reservoir. The smaller the outlet diameter of the pipe, the higher the flow rate.

How to make a mini hydroelectric power station at home

The operating principle of a small homemade hydroelectric power station can be understood using the example of a bicycle with a headlight and a dynamo (generator).

1. From roofing iron we make three blades with a length equal to the radius of a bicycle wheel (the distance from the central hub to the wheel rim) and a width of 3-4 cm.
2. We install the blades between the spokes of the wheel, bending the edge of the blade around the spokes to secure it. The blades should be aligned evenly while maintaining the same angles between them.
3. We immerse the wheel with blades in a fast river to a depth of one third to half the diameter of the wheel. The generated electricity will be enough, for example, to light a tent.

Drawing of one of the options for constructing a mini hydroelectric power station

An example would be a small hydroelectric power station for farm power 3-5 kW from scrap materials:

1. The rotor can be made from an old metal cable drum with a diameter of 2.2 m. Using a grinder and welding at an angle of 45 degrees to the radius, 18 blades need to be welded. The rotor rotates on bearings. Support – metal pipe or angle.
2. On the rotor you need to install a chain gearbox with a gear ratio (gear ratio) of 4. Next, the rotation will be transmitted through the VAZ 2101 driveshaft. The use of a driveshaft will reduce vibration, and the coaxiality of the drive and generator when using the shaft will be uncritical.
3. You will need a step-up gearbox (coefficient - 40) and a three-phase generator. The generator rotation speed is about 3000 rpm. The total reduction ratio of the two gearboxes will be 40 x 4 = 160. The generator should be covered with a casing for protection from moisture and safety. The estimated rotation of the water wheel should be about 20 revolutions per minute.
4. Can be adapted for generator asynchronous motor, and take the control unit from any small machine. You will need a VVG NG cable 2x4 long from the rotor to farm buildings.

Conclusions

The total manufacturing costs will be about 10-15 thousand rubles. The main expense item is wages welder and worker helping to make and assemble the structure.

The main advantages of such equipment are the low cost of electricity, environmental safety, inexhaustibility of the energy source and simplicity of design.

I've always wanted to get electricity from the stream that runs around the perimeter of my house. About three years ago I installed a temporary turbine to see if a larger turbine wheel would work.

The demo version of this wheel was made from old car stands. abrasive wheels And wooden pallets as blades.

For the generator I used an old DC strip from an Ametec drive motor. To prepare everything completely, I used a mini motorcycle chain and 70 and 9 tooth sprockets (for turning the wheel and on the engine). The cost of all items came to around £30.

It produced a maximum of 25 watts and ran for about a year, mainly due to the limitations of the Ametec motor and wheel size, and led me to build a larger turbine.

First of all, I needed to dam the water of the stream so that the water level was approximately up to my chest. Without waiting for the end of summer, I drained the water using a sump pump and made a dam out of cement.

The turbine wheels were made for me locally construction companies made of durable multi-layer material used to create cladding and decking in shipbuilding, 13 mm thick. I made the blades from the same material. Finally, I coated the discs and blades with a special water-repellent compound to extend their life.

I built the base for the turbine from oak logs. The oak turned out to be very hard, I had to tinker with it while I bolted the logs to the stone frame. We had to drill holes, and for this we had to tie the turbine down to balance it and adjust all the dimensions and tighten the bolts.

The next step after installing the wheel was to resolve the issue with the drive and generator.

I initially used a drive made by Minimoto, but then the small chain started slipping due to the tooth spacing, so I decided to purchase 3/8 pitch chains and sprockets from a bearing supplier. The generator was supplied by Windblue Power Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG). It is capable of producing 12 V at 150 rpm. It is often used as a converted car alternator. A conventional generator produces 12 V only at 3000 rpm. I ordered this engine from the USA for £135 including postage.

The wheel was spinning too slowly, and I had to make a stepped tray under the dam, on which the water collected in a narrow mouth and poured onto the blades with greater force.

In addition, I screwed steel cable with a cross section of 1 cm, the main slats of the frame, and where possible, I strengthened the base with anchor bolts 1 foot long to protect the device from damage if the dam suddenly breaks or there is a strong gust of wind.

The turbine is equipped with 4x55AH Brand New batteries. With their help I constantly recharge my laptop. I also bought two 2x110Ah Hawker military traction lead batteries for lighting the garage and home. The voltage supply to two different types of batteries comes from different wires.

I've been using this system for about a year. Output power is 50 W, at peak it produces up to 500 W. The turbine stopped a couple of times due to a decline in water, as well as due to the blockage of the main flow during floods. And so - all year round works.

Translation: Yaroslav Nikolaevich